ITINERARY INFORMATION

Always wanted to meet a medicine man? Or do you want to see what’s happening on the mysterious cemetery of Port au Prince? Let your dreams come true with our second annual tour to Haiti.

You can’t particularly call Haiti the lucky kid in town. The country has been known for its poverty (it is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere), the dictatorship of the Duvalier-family (Papa Doc and Baby Doc), and most recently the 2010 earthquake. However, the Haitians are not let down by all these events. The last few years the country has been trying hard to overcome its negative image and to show a different Haiti. Beautiful Caribbean beaches, Vodou (in the old spelling Voodoo), rum, great architecture, and a beautiful landscape all prove that there’s more in stock for this half of the Hispaniola-island. Neighbour country the Dominican Republic is more well-known as a holiday destination where many Western tourists touch-down every day. By starting and ending the trip in DR you can see all the differences. One moment it feels like you are in Latin America, the other moment it might have been Africa as well.

This itinerary continues on from the Cuba tour and can be done stand-alone or as an extension.

ITINERARY

Monday 4th May

Meet up with the group in Santo Domingo – Dominican Republic.

Get to know your travel mates with a few drinks in downtown Santo Domingo (drinks not included).

Tuesday 5th May

Departure to Cape Haitien, Haiti from the Caribe Tours bus station in the morning. The trip takes approximately 5 hours. Note: There is a 1 hour time difference.

Met by our local driver at the Cape Haitien bus station for a transfer to Beau Rivage guesthouse.

Evening stroll around town.

Overnight at Beau Rivage guesthouse.

Wednesday 6th May

Early rise to visit Bois Caiman, where the first ever vodou ceremony took place.

Short drive to Milot (San Souci) where we visit the ruins of King Henri I’s palace.

Continue to the Citadel. This old fortress has become one of the major symbols of Haiti and gives an amazing view over the area.

Rough drive to the small village of Pignon. Here we will experience real Haitian country side, while we stay with locals.

Visit to a local medicine man for a vodou ceremony

Overnight at local homestay

Thursday 7th May

Put on your walking boots because we will go for a moderate hike through the rolling grassland and mountain terrain of the Central Plateau, an agricultural region in the heart of the country. During the hike you can ask everything you always wanted to know about Haiti to our local guides. We will also make our way up a mountain to find a giant cave which is sometimes used for vodou ceremonies. On the walls you will be able to see some local vodou drawings.

Overnight at a local farmer

Friday 8th May

Transfer to Bassin Zim, one of the most famous waterfalls of the country. Close to the waterfall are also old rock paintings in a cave.

Drive down to the capital, Port au Prince, where we will do voluntary work at a school from the Andrew Greene Foundation in Cite Soleil (one of the poorest areas of the city).

At night we will go to a concert of the most famous band of Haiti: RAM. Every Thursday they play at the famous Hotel Oloffson.

Overnight at Le Perroquet guesthouse

Saturday 9th May

Tour through Port au Prince, including:

Barbancourt Rum Distillery – Haiti’s number one rum brand

Sugar Cane museum café lunch

Marche de Fer

Champs de Mars – the central heroes’ square of Port au Prince. Over here we can see the damaged Notre Dame Cathedral ruins, St. Trinity’s Episcopalian church, the National Palace, statue of the “Neg marron”, Eternal Flame monument, commissioned by Baby Doc and the Statues of the Heroes.

Visit to the Historic Pantheon museum, including on display Papa Doc’s cane, homburg and carbine rifle.

Seeing the old Gingerbread houses, dating from over 120 years ago

Fort Dimanche, former prison during the Papa Doc era. Now it’s controlled by the UN.

Overnight at Le Perroquet guesthouse

Sunday 10th May

Grand Rue Artists; vodou art, sometimes with human bones

Visit to the famous monument built by Papa Doc and Baby Doc

Grand Cimetiere, where people are currently living. Here you can find the graves of Baron Samedi and Papa Doc. We will be escorted through the cemetery.

Lunch at the Baptist Mission

Fort Jean Jacques Dessaline

Pass by the former residence of Baby Doc, where he died recently.

Overnight at Le Perroquet guesthouse

Monday 11th May

Early departure for the bus to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).

People who want to volunteer at the Andrew Greene School in Cite Soleil will stay. More information about this; please send an e-mail to Rik Brinks: rik@youngpioneertours.com

Price inclusive of:

International Bus Santo Domingo – Cape Haitien

International Bus Port au Prince – Santo Domingo

Accomodation in Santo Domingo, May 4th

1 night at Beau Rivage guesthouse, in Cap Haitian incl. breakfast

2 nights at Homestays in Pignon area incl. breakfast and dinner

3 nights at Le Perroquet guesthouse, Port au Prince, incl. breakfast

Lunch at Sugar Cane Museum / Baptist Mission

Transport: To complete the itinerary.

Local guides: throughout.

All entrance fees as per itinerary

Price exclusive of:

International flights

Visa (we will advise you depending on your passport and country of residence)